Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a joint strike on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria used by the Islamic State group (IS), per a report from the British defence ministry.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was assessed as storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a several entry passages down to the facility... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet made a safe return, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - alternatively referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with allied nations, to eradicate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any efforts to regroup" of Islamic State subsequent to its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of British forces who took part in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the festive period. This operation, to eliminate militants who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, throughout the year, protecting the UK at home and strong abroad."
During December, the US military carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, after an assault killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
